Interstate 85 lanes in Charlotte to close for work on ‘monumental’ new bridge
Crews are scheduled to close lanes on Interstate 85 next week to build a $50.7 million bridge that city officials say will be “a monument entrance into Charlotte.”
The name of the city will appear in capital letters in the middle of both sides of the bridge facing northbound and southbound drivers, architect renderings released by the city show.
The Queen Charlotte crown design will appear on both ends of the bridge in each direction.
The bridge will connect Research Drive and J.W. Clay Boulevard in the city’s northeast, University area, and will accommodate cars, public transit, bicycles and pedestrians, according to the city project page.
The bridge will link housing, retailers and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte on the eastern side of I-85 to the University Research Park employment center on the west side.
Drivers also will be able to use the bridge as an alternate to the W.T. Harris Boulevard and Mallard Creek Church Road I-85 interchanges.
The bridge also will directly connect to the LYNX Blue Line J.W. Clay station and the future Doby Creek and Barton Creek greenways, officials said.
Building the key bridge support
Mooresville-based Dane Construction, the general contractor on the project, needs to close lanes on I-85 beginning Monday, July 14, to install protective concrete barriers for the bridge work.
Crews can then work 24/7 over two months building the key interior support of the bridge, known as the bent.
The bridge superstructure can then be built, including girders, beams, the deck and railing.
The city began planning work for the bridge in 2017, Charlotte Observer news partner WSOC previously reported. The bridge is expected to open in 2028, after extensive utility relocation delays, according to the station.
I-85 lane closures
From 9 p.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday, July 15, the left lane of I-85 South will be closed between Mallard Creek Church Road and Harris Boulevard, according to NCDOT.
From 9 p.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday, July 16, the left lane of I-85 North will close between Harris Boulevard and Mallard Creek Church Road
From 9 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday, July 17, lanes will close between Harris Boulevard and Mallard Creek Church Road so the protective barriers can be installed.
“Contract crews will restore traffic over three nights on or before Sept. 11, after the interior bridge bent has been built,” according to the NCDOT statement.
Drivers should watch for construction trucks entering and leaving the median over the months, highway officials said.
This story was originally published July 9, 2025 at 10:26 AM.